Messages From modelrailroadsofsoutherncalifornia

Here is an upcoming event from the north end of our group's territory.

Bob Chaparro

Moderator

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Annual Model Railroad Days on January 29th & 30th at the Oceano Depot

SLO Model Railroad Assoc. and Ocean Depot Assoc. to Host Event

Layouts, Contests, Raffles and Historical Displays will be Featured

The San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association (SLOMRA) and the Oceano Depot Association will be co-hosting their 4th Annual "Model Railroad Days" on Saturday and Sunday, January 29th & 30th. This free community event will run from 10:00am until 4:00pm daily at the historic Oceano Depot. The popularity of this event over the past two years has necessitated the addition of a second day. The SLOMRA will again display a wide variety of operating model trains and the entire Depot will be open to display its unusual artifacts from Oceano and the adjacent railroad. Although this event will act as a fundraiser and member development event for both organizations, the real intent of Model Railroad Days is to share the history of trains and love of modeling with the community. The Oceano Depot is located at 1650 Front Street, between Highway One and the Union Pacific railroad tracks in "downtown" Oceano just south of the track overpass. bsp;

Local train buffs, modelers, historians and kids of all ages are encouraged to spend one or both days at the Depot! The SLOMRA will be featuring its expanded, operating HO and N Scale model train layouts. Big toy trains will also be on display for the kiddies and they will receive free AMTRAK gifts! A model train Yard Sale will feature great deals on new and used model railroad items. Attendees that weekend will be able to take advantage of new member specials if they sign up for SLOMRA membership on site. There will be food, drinks and popcorn for sale by the Depot volunteers. Tours of the entire Depot, including the waiting room and office, will be offered. The Depot's recently restored 1907 wooden caboose which houses the Depot's own HO layout will also be open.

Several new attractions have been added this year. On Saturday the SLOMRA will offer a free "Test, Tune Up & Lube" for N, HO & O Scale engines brought in by attendees. Rail fans of all ages will be able to test their track switching and car movement skills on the club's new "Time Saver" layout. Attendees will be able to learn and practice on the Time Saver on Saturday and compete for prizes on Sunday. (Winners will take the shortest times to solve the puzzle.) The SLOMRA will also conduct a daily raffle with prizes donated by the Central Coast Railroad Festival, The Great American Railroad Show, Central Coast Trains, the Rock & Roll Diner, Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab and the Station Grill.

The SLOMRA is dedicated to model railroading on the Central Coast of California. Its activities include public and private exhibitions of model railroad layouts, operating sessions, tips and techniques workshops, educational and heritage programs, and social events. It layouts were prominently featured during the recent Central Coast Railroad Festival. Members enjoy significant benefits including discounted purchases, resource and knowledge sharing, access to club assets and materials, participation in our many events, and privileges on some of the finest model railroads in the area. For more information see: ---Links-Are-Forbidden---

The Oceano Depot Association is a non-profit, public benefit corporation founded in 1980 by Harold Guiton, Mary Lundahl, and George Allen. The specific purpose of this corporation is to restore, preserve, and operate the Oceano Depot and other structures that have historical significance for historical, scientific, educational and recreational purposes for the benefit of the residents of and visitors to the Community of Oceano. For more information see: ---Links-Are-Forbidden--- featured newspaper sponsor for the Model Railroad Days is the Coast News of the Tolosa Press. For further Model Railroad Days information please call President Dennis Pearson at 805-709-8050 or visit www.slomra.org.